Clark airport to feature Pampanga’s giant Christmas lanterns

This artist’s rendition of the new passenger terminal of the Clark International Airport shows some giant Christmas lanterns. (Courtesy of LIPAD)

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO — Some giant Christmas lanterns handcrafted by artisans from this Christmas capital are set to be installed at the new passenger terminal of the Clark International Airport (CRK) in time for December.

Populous architect Ben Dawson and Casas architect Gaylord Bongalon confirmed the use of this local element during a virtual briefing on Thursday, Aug. 26.

Among Philippine provinces, only Pampanga practices a tradition of making giant lanterns for religious processions since 1908. The tradition evolved into a city-wide festival unique the world over.

Bongalon said the lanterns come in three sizes, with the biggest at four meters in diameter. Artisans have been involved.

“These are beacons,” said Dawson. Populous, the lead interior designer, incorporated Mt. Pinatubo and the Zambales mountain ranges in the design of the terminal, which can handle eight million passengers yearly.

According to him, the lighting approximates the rotor, a local invention that makes the lights on and off in many patterns.

Bolongan said the present concern is how to suspend the lanterns safely at the Event’s Place of the CRK.

He said it was timely to light the lantern in December to greet overseas Filipino workers returning for the holiday.

The testing and commissioning of the systems, as well as the interfacing of more than 10 government agencies and over 20 airlines in the new passenger terminal, can ready its “start before the holiday,” said Bi Yong Chungunco, chief executive officer of LIPAD (Luzon International Premiere Airport Development Corp.), the private consortium operating the airport since 2018.

The new terminal made it as one of the top six finalists in the 2021 World Selection of the prestigious Prix Versailles Architecture and Design Awards under the airport category.

“This nomination is a recognition of the outstanding qualities of Clark International Airport – even with the fluidity of its state of the art technology, this Airport reflects a deep sense of place as it takes inspiration from the natural formations and surrounding landscape,” said Chungunco.